AU is independent in Sudan election - Kufuor

AU is independent in Sudan election - Kufuor
From Myjoyonline by Frank Agyekum, Khartoum, Wednesday, 7 April 2010:

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor said, Monday, that the Africa Union did not favour any of the contesting political parties in the impending general elections in Sudan.

The union’s interest was the smooth conduct of the elections to help return Africa’s largest country to peace and stability, former President Kufuor told a Press Conference at the Grand Holiday Villas in Khartoum, Sudan.

Mr Kufuor, who arrived in Khartoum on Sunday as the head of a 50-member AU Observer Mission, was briefing the media after the first stakeholders meeting of the mission.

“I should state from the onset that we are here as impartial and neutral election observers who do not owe any allegiance to any of the contending parties.

“Our job is to observe the conduct of the elections in accordance with the AU’s Declaration Principles Governing Elections in Africa.

“At the end of the elections, we are expected to determine if it was conducted in accordance with the constitution and laws of Sudan.

“We will also determine the credibility of the whole electoral process in terms of the provision of a level playing field to all parties in their access to the media, movement and freedom of choice,” he said.

The mission includes National Electoral Commissions, Members of the Pan-African Parliament, members of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the AU and Civil Society Organizations.

The European Union, the Arab League and the Carter Centre, are among international bodies that have sent observer missions.

Sudan goes to the polls from April 11 to April 13 for the first time in more than 25 years to elect a President and a 450-member National Assembly.

Sudan Elections 2010



Photo: Sudanese youth stands next to an electoral poster that reads in Arabic 'I am Sudan Party, Unity, Reform, development and peace' at the main market of the Darfur town of el Fasher, Sudan Thursday, April 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: A Sudanese woman and a policeman walk by electoral posters at the main market of the Darfur town of el Fasher, Sudan Thursday, April 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: A Sudanese man carries his son under a billboard supporting a Parliament election candidate Mohammed Al Mahdi in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)



Photo: Sudanese women walk past a campaign poster for President Omar al-Beshir in central Khartoum on April 7. (AFP/File/Ashraf Shazly)



Photo: A Sudanese youth riding a donkey passes by electoral posters for the ruling National Congress Party, NCP that reads 'Leading party for a leading country, choose the the strong and loyal' at the Darfur town of el Fasher, Sudan Thursday, April 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: A Sudanese army vehicle patrols the main market by an electoral poster for the ruling National Congress Party, NCP with a picture President and presidential candidate Omar al-Bashir and reads 'Leading party for a leading country, choose the the strong and loyal' at the Darfur town of el Fasher, Sudan Thursday, April 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: A Sudanese army vehicle patrols the main market by electoral posters for the ruling National Congress Party, NCP that reads 'Our strength is in our unity' at the Darfur town of el Fasher, Sudan Thursday, April 8, 2010. The elections start April 13, and will include local as well as parliamentary and presidential polls in a three-day balloting. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: A painted image of Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir is seen on the clothing of a supporter during an election campaign in Bashir's home town of Shandi, 317 km (197 miles) outside Khartoum April 7, 2010. (Reuters/Ahmed Jadallah)



Photo: A supporter of Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir performs a traditional Sudanese dance during an election campaign event in Bashir's hometown of Shandi, 317 km (197 miles) outside Khartoum April 7, 2010. (Reuters/Ahmed Jadallah)